By Michelle Ndaga
Today marks World Heart Day 2025, a global health awareness campaign dedicated to the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) the world’s leading cause of death.
This year’s theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” calls on individuals, communities, and governments to take urgent, proactive steps toward protecting heart health.
Organized by the World Heart Federation, this year also commemorates 25 years since the initiative began. The theme is part of a wider 2024–2026 campaign titled “Use Heart for Action,” which emphasizes moving from awareness to implementation.
“More than 20.5 million people die from CVD annually,” the Federation stated, “yet up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke deaths are preventable through early detection, lifestyle changes, and improved access to care.”
Across the globe, hospitals, NGOs, and health ministries are hosting free screenings, community walks, fitness events, and educational campaigns.
In Kenya, the Kenya Cardiac Society is leading awareness drives and offering free checkups, while Malaysia’s Institut Jantung Negara is running a week-long health fair with interactive exhibits.
Medical experts are also drawing attention to often-overlooked concerns, such as women’s heart health, rising diabetes rates, and the need for personalized treatments for cholesterol and blood pressure.
Cardiologists warn that many women experience symptoms like fatigue or nausea rather than the classic chest pain, leading to misdiagnoses.
Meanwhile, the World Heart Federation is urging national leaders to support its target of reaching 500 million more people with hypertension treatment by 2030.
This push comes as lifestyle-related heart risk factors like poor diets, smoking, and inactivity rise, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
As the campaign reminds us: heart disease doesn’t wait. “Don’t Miss a Beat” is both a medical warning and a social call to action because every heartbeat counts.
